From the earliest occurrences of the town name in documents it is clear that
the name Linslade is
derived from the Old English words hlinc and gelad.

The exact significance of the name is difficult to assertain, however, the
name is believed to describe the site of the original village around the
church of St. Mary in Old Linslade. The first part 'lince' or 'linch' refers
to the bank and sand mounds, overgrown with trees to the south of the church.
The second part of the name has variously be ascribed to the westernmost
channel into which the Ousel divides itself, or alternatively, the footpath
which skirts the foot of the lince.